Pawn Palace

Heliodora is forced to start working in the palace kitchens of Eresus to help bring her family out of poverty. Little did she know that she would not only find a stable income but something much more precious. The heir to the throne's heart. But as the rebels declare war on Eresus, Adeia is forced into a hasty marriage for an alliance, leaving both girls broken-hearted. On a road of deceit, lies, betrayal and death, can the two girls have the happily-ever-after that they both so desperately want?

Ellie was a good, ideal werewolf of her pack. Once abandoned by her family, she wanted to do everything she could to give back the love and care she received from her adopted family, even if it meant giving up her own wolf for a better future for them. However, what she did not know was that it was all a trick. That she was never loved by anyone in the pack; not her family, nor her mate. And the rite used for ‘her sake’? It was actually for her sister’s sake. All this time, Ellie was but a pawn to be used and tossed away. One day, she met an injured werewolf in the middle of the woods, who claimed her to be his mate, and later saved her from a cruel fate. Only… “We may be mates, but I feel nothing from you. All I want from you is to bear my child.” Once again, she was to be used as a pawn for someone else, when all she wanted was to at least be treated as any other werewolf. Will Ellie ever be able to change her fate? Can she get through to her mate? Will she find out what happened to her real parents?

Prince Jamal of Zedora is cursed with an ice-cold heart, unable to feel anything—joy, sorrow, love, or hate. That changes when he meets Sarafina Belaird. Sarafina, a maiden burdened by her cruel stepfamily, ends up in the palace after a chance encounter with the prince. Her fear deepens when she learns she is the Sheba, the one destined to break his curse. To make things worse, she begins to fall in love with him.

This spicy tale has you hot steamy nights, bloody battles, palace intrigue, and a forbidden love that will last the ages. Adriana Gervais (Ana), 3rd Daughter of Emperor Franco Centauri Gervais, the Blood Demon, is the new Vampiric Empire’s Ambassador. George Atwood, son of a soldier, has risen through the ranks of the emperor’s forces with a vengeance. He’s been tasked to keep the Ana alive. What could go wrong? George has watched Ana as she combat trains, loving it entirely too much. Everything about her makes him fall a little harder. That’s the problem, if anyone finds out he lusts for her, they'd suffer a fatal punishment. Ana’s first impression is no less than George’s. She’s aware of the dangers if a courtier catches on. It could result in blackmail or death. Ana is part of the Elite caste. George is part of the Guardian caste. No one’s life partner comes from a different caste, even if they’re fated. So, says the law. Ana has no interest in the throne or ruling. Her parents haven’t instructed her like her sisters. Yet she’s still bound to the caste system and laws. Wearing leather and combat boots, instead of silk and stilettos Ana loves to thumb her nose at tradition, even if she can’t at the caste system. Things get dicey for the two when they must resist the sparks of passion when they first meet in the emperor’s presence and as time goes on it doesn’t get any better. Travel back to when Ana was nineteen and rebellious. See their forbidden love begin and how it burns over time. Will they survive the court intrigue, murder plots, and fate that complicates their lives. Cover by Getcovers.

The things we want are so very rarely the things we need. Clifton Heights, a modest Adirondack town, offers many unique attractions. Arcane Delights sells both paperbacks and hard-to-find limited editions. The Skylark Diner serves the best home-cooked meals around, with friendly service and a smile. Every August, Mr. Jingo’s County Fair visits, to the delight of children and adults. In essence, Clifton Heights is the quintessential small American town. Everyone knows everyone else, and everyone is treated like family. It is quiet, simple, and peaceful. But shadows linger here. Flitting in dark corners, from the corner of the eye. If you walk down Main Street after dark, the slight scrape of shoes on asphalt whispers you're not alone, but when you look over your shoulder, no one is there. The moon shines high and bright in the night sky, but instead of throwing light, it only seems to make the shadows lengthen. Children disappear. Teens run away. Hunters get lost in the woods with frightening regularity. Husbands go mad, and wives vanish in the dead of night. And still, when the sun rises in the morning, you are greeted by townspeople with warm waves and friendly smiles, and the shivers pass as everything seems fresh and new... Until night falls once more. Handy's Pawn and Thrift sits several blocks down from Arcane Delights. Like any thrift store, its wares range from the mundane to the bizarre. By daylight, it seems just another slice of small town Americana. But in its window hangs a sign which reads: We Have Things You Need. And when a lonely traveling salesman comes looking for something he desperately wants, after normal visiting hours, after night has fallen, he will face a harsh truth among the shelves of Handy’s Pawn and Thrift: the things we want are rarely the things we need. ©️ Crystal Lake Publishing

Malia Ray Smith, the heiress to the country's largest chocolate manufacturer, thought she had it all wealth, power, and the love of her father. But her husband Maynard Salvador cheats on her leaving Malia feeling worthless and insecure Just when Malia thought things couldn't get any worse, Larson Reynold enters her life and sweeps her off her feet and Malia believes she has found her true love. But as she falls deeper, she uncovers a web of lies and deception, and realizes she's been nothing but a pawn in Larson's dangerous game. Malia must navigate a world of betrayal, corruption, and evil plotting, all while finding the strength to stand up for herself and fight for the love and happiness she truly deserves.

Trigger warning: Matured content. Dark romance! ***** ~Jasper Morgan~ I hate him because he hates me. He's my first love, my bully. Yet, when his hatred turns into a burning obsession, I crave it, unable to live without it. Rhys' loathing has become my addiction, driving me to corrupt him, to claim him as my own. But what if he's just a beautiful nightmare? I can't let him go. ~Rhys Volkov~ I've never been drawn to men, never entertained the thought. Jasper Morgan was just a pawn in my vendetta against his father, who destroyed my life. I wanted to break him, shatter his perfection. But Jasper's twisted hate awakened something within me. I craved his scorn, his resentment. I wanted more than just revenge; I wanted him. His body, mind, and soul. He crossed the line. Now, nothing will stop me from possessing him. ******

all started like a little spark in her chest, and then it grew and ignited her whole being with an outburst of emotion. Before she could recollect herself, she found out that she desired him more than anything in the world. She was madly in love. Ada was a palace maid, the most trusted servant in the palace. The king loves and cherish her very much that he told her secrets that even the Prince himself does not know about. This led to conspiracy, anger and jealously. The bitterness of betrayer ate Ada up when she found out that the man she loves most in the world, had tricked her into disclosing the location of the Ofor, the mantle of leadership in Alaocha, and had stolen it.

Loosely based on the well known fairytale, this is a re-imagination of the original Beauty and the beast; a story as old as time with an incredible twist. In the small town of Redwood- where she grew up- Arabella will find herself in more trouble than she bargained for when she ends up in the palace of the incredibly handsome, yet moody, Royce. Will Arabella find out the truth about her mysterious host or will her life end before she has a chance to escape?

Kim Evelyn—known to those closest to her as Ivy—never imagined her third wedding anniversary would turn into a nightmare. Her husband, Rico, didn’t just betray her—he brought his mistress into their bed. The pain and humiliation scorched her heart, leaving her no choice but to walk away from the home that once symbolized their love. But Ivy’s escape led her into a night that would change everything. Beneath the glimmering lights of an upscale bar, she met Joshua Miller—a dangerously charming man with a captivating smile and an offer too tempting to resist. Revenge. Sweet, calculated revenge. But there was a catch: Ivy had to surrender herself to a game far more seductive than anything she’d ever imagined. As vengeance ignited and passion flared, the line between game and reality began to blur. Dark secrets loomed. Hidden dangers stirred. And Ivy was forced to make an impossible choice—move forward and risk losing everything, or retreat into the scars of her past. Can Ivy take control of this wicked game? Or will she end up the pawn—consumed by desire, ambition, and a betrayal more dangerous than the one she fled?